In Catholic parenting circles, nothing seems to stir more anger and disgust than video games. they are a waste of time. They are passageways to sin and the devil. They are hotbeds of vice. And so on, that's what I've heard about video games. I had similar thoughts for a long time. However, at a work conference a few years ago, I overheard a presentation that detailed the benefits of video games. I reluctantly changed my mind. Our family has benefited greatly from this.
Believe it or not, video games can have a lot of good in the world, even for staunch Catholics. That's not to say there aren't better or worse ways to play the game. No, there are many nuances and caveats to this statement, some of which I will explain here. But hopefully readers can see that there is a wide range of ways to view video games, from the Puritan idea that all games are sinful to the gluttonous idea that games are life. I think. Catholics can find a middle ground between comfort and recreation, on which they can cultivate virtue, increase quality family time, and find safety in learning and navigating the inevitable use of technology in our time. You can cultivate a unique stage. You can also bring and play games.
The science behind the benefits of gaming is clear. Everyone can benefit from video games, from children learning better spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination to veterans curing post-traumatic stress disorder. Video games can improve manual dexterity, increase the brain's gray matter and connectivity, improve children's social intelligence, increase problem-solving skills, improve vision, improve mood and overall mental health. improve. None of these benefits are limited to the time you spend playing the game. Rather, they are all integrated into everyday life. By playing video games outside of work, surgeons can better perform complex medical procedures on the job.
All this research belies the maligned image of the “gamer” as a socially awkward, unproductive, and miserable child (or adult) who hides in a dark basement and develops a hatred of his fellow humans and a love of junk food. I am drawing a figure. And vulgar images.
That's not to say such people don't exist, but not all gamers, or even the majority of gamers. Anyone who plays video games as a hobby on a daily basis is a “gamer”, whether or not people talk about it, from the age of 18 to his 77 percent peak at age 29. , a large amount of people fall into that category. Men account for 25% of men and women over the age of 65. These figures cover a wide range of fields, many personalities, and a variety of games, from the obscene to the educational.
Of course, just because a lot of people are playing it doesn't make it right, but are video games really that bad that good Catholics should avoid them?
Well, some video games certainly do. Gore, extreme violence, foul language, and suggestive images are present in a significant number of games. Those who oppose video games who argue that Catholics shouldn't or shouldn't play video games must have these in mind. The world, or at least their home, would be better off without them.
But the same is true for movies, television, and print media. Just as Catholics must avoid video games that promote or magnify licentiousness, violence, and depravity of all kinds, so too must they avoid all forms of such media. It's not just video games.
However, unlike other forms of modern media, video games, when “done right,” offer many benefits to Catholic families. Over the past five years of playing games as a family, we have experienced some great educational moments and quality time together.
What we've found is that video games provide a great opportunity for siblings to work together towards a goal, and can help older children learn to be patient and teach younger siblings. is. Younger siblings learn to ask for help and are comfortable following guidance from older siblings. And when communication breaks down, a parent nearby reminds everyone that only a respectful and patient tone can be used when playing games together.
Video games also give children the opportunity to practice good sportsmanship and fair play. In our house, nothing ends a child's turn at a video game faster than whining, cheating, and gloating. This means you need to stop and think before you say something that could power down your system.
Like BL.Carlo Acutis and his self-imposed limitations on video games, Games helped children with time management skills, self-control, and balance between work and play. As explained above, the game itself provides benefits and lessons on how to moderate your media usage. How much is too much? Too long? Is this a game worth spending your limited time on?
Another rule is that you can't ask your child to play video games until all of their chores and schoolwork have been completed. Not just to completion, but to completion. good. There are no shortcuts here. I asked before the work was completed and the answer was no for 2 days. And if you don't complete your daily tasks within enough hours of the day, you won't have time to play games. (We typically limit screen time before dinner to avoid blue light and visual stimulation until bedtime.)
It's also a group effort. No one can play until everyone's work is done, so cheer each other on to get the job done. And since they often work together, they also play together. The emphasis is on video games that offer multiplayer or cooperative play. Or, if it's a single-player game, games are played that involve more complex puzzles or problems, and the family helps solve them.
Overall, we as a family unit create positive memories around wholesome games, especially promoting temperance and prudence as virtues. So far, I haven't found any other simple, accessible, and fun activities that you can participate in at any time at a relatively low cost.
Video games (the good ones, and I'm referring almost exclusively to Nintendo here) have been a huge blessing to our Catholic family. I strongly believe that we can put aside the stigma that “all video games are sinful” and introduce gaming into our homes in a conscious and meaningful way.
